CHG_CANON wrote:
The equipment is exactly the same, built in the exact same factories by the exact same personnel. The serial number is the difference and the internal Nikon accounting, based on that s/n, for where the lens is intended to be sold and at what price. Nikon stopped allowing third-parties access to Nikon parts a few years ago. If Nikon should refuse to fix it, you probably cannot find anyone else.
Actually, Nikon did NOT stop ALL third parties, just made it extremely difficult and expensive for them. In fact, Nikon's repair facilities actually use some of them for "overflow" at times.